I am an Instructional Technology Specialist for Brenham ISD. My favorite hobby is tweeting and building my PLN. I love finding new Web 2.0 tools to share with my faculty and students and I think social networking can be a powerful educational tool. I am a Google junkie...a perfectionist in everything I do (sometimes to a fault!)...and I am one of those people who genuinely enjoys getting up and coming to work each day!

Let's start with a poll...

Why BYOD?

Choice. Learners are diverse. Learning styles and preferences vary and we wish to recognize this by allowing learners to choose the device and applications most suitable for them.

Anywhere, anytime. Teaching and learning occurs inside and outside the classroom. We want to empower learners to utilize tools for learning in a “just in time” manner no matter where they are.

Personalized. By having our own devices we can each have the tools, shortcuts, widgets, and add-ons that are most relevant to us. Our desktops and browsers are the way we want them.

Preparing for the future. Our students will move into BYOT environments at college and in the work place. We need to prepare them for this.

Flexible learning. The nature of learning is changing. No longer do we sit in rows and listen to a teacher. We are creating flexible learning environments that facilitate collaborative and individual learning. We are opening the classroom doors and encouraging teachers and students to access ‘global’ learning environments via web technologies.

Digital fluency. We are empowering teachers and students to become digitally fluent and responsible users of technology.

What does it look like?

What will BYOD look like in your classroom?

Tell me your best strategies... What tools will your kids use... What activities you can incorporate into your classroom... Visualize your dream 2.0 classroom and make it happen! Power of a positive mind!

Create a classroom YouTube channel and load it up with useful instructional videos for your students. Take it one step further and let your students create tutorial videos to share with their classmates.

Tools, Tools and More Tools!

Now you try...

Using the links above, visit at least 3 NEW Web 2.0 tools (don't waste time going to sites you are already familiar with!). After you have evaluated 3 sites, go to our TodaysMeet room and tell us which one was your favorite and why. You can include:

Remember, you're not alone! There's safety in numbers!

Session Evaluation

About Jessica

I am an Instructional Technology Specialist for Brenham ISD. My favorite hobby is tweeting and building my PLN. I love finding new Web 2.0 tools to share with my faculty and students and I think social networking can be a powerful educational tool. I am a techno junkie...a perfectionist in everything I do (sometimes to a fault!)...and I am one of those people who genuinely enjoys getting up and coming to work each day!

I am an Instructional Technology Specialist for Brenham ISD. My favorite hobby is tweeting and building my PLN. I love finding new Web 2.0 tools to share with my faculty and students and I think social networking can be a powerful educational tool. I am a Google junkie...a perfectionist in everything I do (sometimes to a fault!)...and I am one of those people who genuinely enjoys getting up and coming to work each day!